A male performer in the Los Angeles porn community was reportedly diagnosed with syphilis last month, but apparently hid the fact from producers, prompting fears of a spread among other actors and actresses. Several big studios have voluntarily suspended production for an unspecified period, while the Free Speech Coalition (a trade group that represents the adult entertainment industry) has called for a moratorium on filming until all performers have been re-tested for the disease.
Generally, the porn industry doesn't shut down unless there is a confirmed case of HIV (which happened in both 2010 and 2011). Syphilis, of course, is a curable disease, but can be fatal if left untreated. And since the performer worked several times with a doctored sexually transmitted infection (STI) test before coming forward, there are fears about the disease spreading.
While the porn industry is under significant financial pressure due to piracy and the rise of “amateur” Web sites, insiders say this shutdown should not have a noticeable effect on revenues at major studios. Big players in the porn industry typically have a large stockpile of films awaiting release and can ride out a shutdown.
The porn industry shoots roughly 20,000 scenes per year. Bigger companies tend to produce four or five films per month – with costs reaching upwards to $300,000 – allowing them to stockpile releases.
The porn industry, as a whole, is thought to generate roughly $14 billion in revenue per year, but revenue from porn films has been shrinking, due to piracy and an abundance of free content on the Internet.
"The nature of the industry is we don’t make nearly as many products as we did once," says Scott Taylor, president and founder of New Sensations.
The $14 billion figure is an estimate, since porn companies generally guard their financials carefully – especially these days. Porn giant Manwin is on a buying spree and no one wants to divulge revenue figures, since they fear it could hurt their asking price if Manwin turns its attention their way.
One insider, who asked not to be named, said he believes current revenue figures are vastly underreported, since online revenue is growing exponentially. Manwin's Fabian Thylmann seemed to back this up in a keynote speech at a conference in January, saying "I've looked at many books to see if something is interesting to buy. I know of many companies today that are making more than the big ones did in '98, '99 and 2000."
(Manwin, which was the first company to announce a halt in production until performers were retested, says its current growth rate – without accounting for acquisitions – is currently about 15 percent each year.)
While the health concerns for performers are certainly real, the notion that a performer doctored his test results is likely to add to the porn industry's woes as it faces new legislation from the state of California. (The performer reportedly obscured the syphilis portion of the paper test results he presented to directors, according to Xbiz, a trade news outlet for the adult entertainment industry. When one director noticed this and began making inquiries, the performer ultimately admitted to the action.)
The Los Angeles City Council, in January, voted to make condom use mandatory in porn shoots that are filmed inside the city limits. A similar measure for Los Angeles County will be on the ballot in November, which would require studios to pay a permit fee to cover the cost of enforcement. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health estimates those will cost producers between $12,000 and $60,000 per permit per year.
L.A. City officials have not yet begun enforcing the ordinance, as officials have spent seven months figuring out how best to do so. Many industry insiders say they don't expect the city to begin inspections until early next year.
While several porn companies have threatened to leave Los Angeles because of the legislation, none have yet done so and the gestures are now largely viewed as empty threats.
( CNBC )
The video features a gentleman as the Vice President, iPhone Product Design, who says, "Before designing the iPhone 5, we studied how customers use their iPhones and we discovered something pretty interesting. People only use iPhones to take photos of their food. They are sad and alone, so they take pictures of food to create the illusion of a fulfilling life."
The video further goes on saying: "With a maximum ISO of 6400, the iPhone 5 takes stunning photos in whatever dimly lit, exposed brick, no reservation, basement restaurant your friends care about more than each other."
The commercial mentions that the iPhone is good enough to turn your life into a "seemingly enjoyable lie."
Check out the iPhone 5 hilarious parody commercial below.
( IBNLive )
"It's great to be acting in and co-producing 'Chauranga' with Onir. The story is about a 14-year-old Dalit boy who falls in love with a 16-year-old upper-caste girl from Jharkhand," Suri told PTI.
"I have an important role in the film, in which you will also see Radhika Apte (of 'I Am', 'Antaheen' fame)."
The producers have taken the crowd funding route as they want the audience to be a part of the filmmaking process. A target of Rs 50 lakh from public audience has been set and people can contribute via the film's website.
"Apart from raising funds from general public, we have support of the National Films Development Corporation of India (NFDC). We've also received grant from Goteborg International Film Festival, Sweden and are in discussion with international co-producers," says director Bikas Ranjan Mishra.
Inspired by a true event, 'Chauranga' is a fictional account of six days in a dark corner of India. It's a story of the violence of class oppression that still exists in rural India.
The Dalit boy is growing up in an unnamed corner of India. His dream is to go to a town school like his elder brother and his reality is to look after the pig that his family owns.
His only escape is to sit atop a jamun tree and adore his beloved passing by on her scooter. His unspoken love is as true as his mother's helplessness who cleans the cowsheds of the local strongman's mansion, with whom she also has a secret liaison.
When the boy's elder brother comes on a vacation to the village, he soon finds out about his younger brother's infatuation. He tries to makes him realize the need to express his love. The film is at an advanced pre-production stage right now.
"Our cast is a fair mix of actors and non-actors. We've chosen to work with non-actors for our lead roles that happen to be kids. It's fun to work with children - you learn so much," says Mishra.
( IANS )
"Apart from raising funds from general public, we have support of the National Films Development Corporation of India (NFDC). We've also received grant from Goteborg International Film Festival, Sweden and are in discussion with international co-producers," says director Bikas Ranjan Mishra.
Inspired by a true event, 'Chauranga' is a fictional account of six days in a dark corner of India. It's a story of the violence of class oppression that still exists in rural India.
The Dalit boy is growing up in an unnamed corner of India. His dream is to go to a town school like his elder brother and his reality is to look after the pig that his family owns.
His only escape is to sit atop a jamun tree and adore his beloved passing by on her scooter. His unspoken love is as true as his mother's helplessness who cleans the cowsheds of the local strongman's mansion, with whom she also has a secret liaison.
When the boy's elder brother comes on a vacation to the village, he soon finds out about his younger brother's infatuation. He tries to makes him realize the need to express his love. The film is at an advanced pre-production stage right now.
"Our cast is a fair mix of actors and non-actors. We've chosen to work with non-actors for our lead roles that happen to be kids. It's fun to work with children - you learn so much," says Mishra.
( IANS )
A 21-year-old Indian-origin woman has created something of a record by pulling a double-decker bus in Leicester by a rope tied to her hair.
The feat, performed by Asha Rani on Saturday in front of a large gathering of admiring crowds in the Leicester city centre, will now be verified before it is declared as a record.
She, pulled the 12-tonne bus 17m and 20cm on Humberstone Gate in Leicester.
To break the current record, she had to pull it more than five metres. The attempt must now be verified.
To break the current record, she had to pull the bus more than 5 metres. Known locally as the Iron Queen, Asha Rani managed the 12-tonne bus to pull it 17 metres and 20 cm, according to reports from Leicester.
Asha Rani is mentored by Manjit Singh, 62, the Hoshiarpur-born strongman who has several records against his name, including pulling an airplane at the East Midlands airport bu a rope tied to his ears.
Manjit Singh said after Asha Rani's feat: "There is no specific training for this, it is mind over matter whether it be breaking glass with your head or lifting things with your ears. Rani started learning three or four years ago and now she's better than me."
Leicester-based Manjit Singh, who has amazed many with his strength and endurance skills by setting several Guinness World Records, moved to Britain in 1977 after a short tenure as a policeman in Punjab.
Manjit Singh and Asha Rani are raising money for a charity organisation which raises awareness about prostate cancer.
The feat, performed by Asha Rani on Saturday in front of a large gathering of admiring crowds in the Leicester city centre, will now be verified before it is declared as a record.
She, pulled the 12-tonne bus 17m and 20cm on Humberstone Gate in Leicester.To break the current record, she had to pull it more than five metres. The attempt must now be verified.
To break the current record, she had to pull the bus more than 5 metres. Known locally as the Iron Queen, Asha Rani managed the 12-tonne bus to pull it 17 metres and 20 cm, according to reports from Leicester.
Asha Rani is mentored by Manjit Singh, 62, the Hoshiarpur-born strongman who has several records against his name, including pulling an airplane at the East Midlands airport bu a rope tied to his ears.
Manjit Singh said after Asha Rani's feat: "There is no specific training for this, it is mind over matter whether it be breaking glass with your head or lifting things with your ears. Rani started learning three or four years ago and now she's better than me."
Leicester-based Manjit Singh, who has amazed many with his strength and endurance skills by setting several Guinness World Records, moved to Britain in 1977 after a short tenure as a policeman in Punjab.
Manjit Singh and Asha Rani are raising money for a charity organisation which raises awareness about prostate cancer.
( PTI )
A new IOC regulation, called Rule 40, prohibits athletes from appearing in ads for non-Olympic sponsors from July 18 to Aug. 15. According to the IOC’s 19 page explainer, Rule 40 is designed to prevent ambush marketing, defined as non-Olympic sponsors trying to associate themselves with the Olympic brand.
Yet two photos of the Olympic swimmer, shot by the photographer Annie Leibovitz, began circulating during the time period in which athletes are prohibited from appearing in advertisements. A website in Barcelona called elperiodico.com printed the bathtub photo on Aug. 7 and announced that Phelps was the new face of Louis Vuitton. Then the Daily Mail in Britain followed up on Monday, Aug. 13, with two photos and the headline “Let the fashion endorsements begin, Michael Phelps announced as latest face of Louis Vuitton core values campaign.”
The second photo shows Phelps in a three-piece suit sitting on a couch next to Larisa Latynina of Russia, 77, who is the previous holder of the title “most-decorated Olympic athlete.” In both photos, there is a strategically placed Louis Vuitton bag.
A quick Google search shows the photos went viral and appeared on dozens if not hundreds of websites on Aug. 13 and 14.
An agent for Leibovitz confirmed to CNBC that she shot the photos, and that a Louis Vuitton campaign with Phelps was supposed to begin sometime this week.
The release of these photos before Aug. 16 raises the thorny question of whether the world’s most decorated athlete is in violation of rule with sanctions that could include fines and the stripping of medals.
Thus far, answers are not forthcoming from either the U.S. Olympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee or the London Olympic Committee. None of the organizations responded to attempts for comment. In fairness, many people involved in the Olympics have gone on vacation or are still traveling back from London.
Louis Vuitton representatives will say only that they did not release the photos. Leibovitz’s press agent says her office did not release the photos. Yet, the Daily Mail contained a quote from a Vuitton representative about the campaign. (That page has since been removed from the newspaper’s website.)
Regardless, if the photos were leaked, they may still fall into the category of ambush marketing and thus be a violation of Rule 40.
The imposition of Rule 40 for London 2012 angered many athletes because it prevented them from monetizing their brand at the precise moment when it was most valuable. Most Olympic athletes are not household names like Phelps and are far less likely to garner lucrative sponsorship deals.
The U.S. Track and Field team began a Twitter campaign to end the regulation, with two hash tags: #rule40 & #wedemandchange. Gold medalist Dawn Harper tweeted out two photos mocking Rule 40. One was a self-portrait with a white tape covering her mouth; the words “rule 40” written on the tape. Olympic runner Nick Symmonds, who specializes in the 800m, was especially vociferous on Twitter. In a conversation with me Wednesday, he expressed frustration that he was unable to thank his sponsors, Nike and the Orgeon Track Club, during the Olympics. “It’s about being able to give them a return on their investment.”
His agent Chris Layne told CNBC if the IOC is going to continue with Rule 40, the athletes should be compensated monetarily for their participation in the Games. An example he cites is the Track and Field World Championships, where the top performers receive prize money. Layne said he believes Rule 40 emanates from antiquated thinking about the Games—that the athletes are amateurs but not professionals. But “the Olympics have changed,” and now, “It is truly a professional, commercial event from start to finish.”
Neither he, nor his client Symmonds, thinks Phelps should be sanctioned for the photos because it is unlikely that Phelps himself released them. Layne points out that, if anything, the situation highlights the difficulties of enforcement. “If this photo shoot were prior to Rule 40, how you can enforce that?”
Sanctions can range from removal of accreditation (not relevant once an athlete is finished competing), financial penalties, disqualification from the games, and according to the Olympic charter “a competitor or a team may lose the benefit of any ranking obtained in relation to other events at the Olympic Games at which he or it was disqualified or excluded; in such case the medals and diplomas won by him or it shall be returned to the IOC.”
Sports law attorney Joe Baghat thinks the Olympic Committee will do nothing to Phelps because “it would be a public relations nightmare to come on him because he is so well loved.”
Emails to Phelps' agent were not returned.
( CNBC )
The Swedish company plans to commercialize a color-changing disposable wristband that changes from yellow to pink based on increasing exposure to UV rays. You’ll know that it’s time to get out of the sun, in other words, when the yellow wristband turns pink. The wristband, developed by researchers at the University of Strathclyde, features an acid release agent that picks up UV rays along with a dye that changes in response to pH levels--so when the rays increase, acid is released and the dye changes the wristband’s color.You’ll know that it’s time to get out of the sun when the yellow wristband turns pink.
Intellego is working on an array of wristbands that work for different skin types. The Daily Mail reports that there will be one wristband for people with fair skin and lighter hair, another for people with dark skin and dark hair, so that your wrist alert signals you at the exact right time.
We’d suggest adding in wristbands that also take into account sunscreen use--a person with fair skin and light hair won’t absorb as many UV rays if they’re wearing high SPF sunscreen. Another caveat: The kind of person who would wear a wristband like this is probably already cautious about sun exposure.
The wristband is expected to go on sale in Spring 2013.
Last week two incidents were widely reported in the Australian media whereby male passengers seated next to unaccompanied minors were asked to swap seats with a female.
The first involved a Sydney firefighter who was traveling aboard a Virgin Australia flight. He was assigned a window seat next to two boys he estimated to be between eight and 10 years old, he told journalists at the Sydney Morning Herald. He took the aisle seat, though, so the boys could look out the window.
A flight attendant approached the man asking him to move shortly before the plane pushed back from the gate, according to the report. When he asked why, the flight attendant reportedly told him, "Well, you can't sit next to two unaccompanied minors." Getting looks from other passengers, the embarrassed man complied.
When the story broke, social media channels came alive with criticism over the policy, even spawning a new Twitter hashtag #VirginDiscrimination. On Facebook, users posted comments including "disgracefully discriminatory" and "stupid load of nonsense."
Virgin Australia later tweeted and posted a response on its blog saying, "We understand the concerns raised around our policy for children travelling alone, a long-standing policy initially based on customer feedback."
"In light of recent feedback, we're now reviewing this policy," the post continues. "Our intention is certainly not to discriminate in any way."
The second incident involved a man flying on Qantas. He, too, was asked to swap seats with a female passenger.
"After the plane had taken off, the air hostess thanked the woman that had moved but not me, which kind of hurt me or pissed me off a bit more because it appeared I was in the wrong, because it seemed I had this sign I couldn't see above my head that said 'child molester' or 'kiddie fiddler' whereas she did the gracious thing and moved to protect the greater good of the child," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
A Qantas spokesman confirmed the policy with the newspaper further clarifying, "Qantas's policy is consistent with other airlines around the world and is designed to minimize risk."
What About U.S. Airlines?
CNBC reached out to several airlines in the U.S. to see if a similar policy applied to passengers seated next to children traveling alone.
American Airlines spokesman Ed Martelle told CNBC.com in an email, "We have no such policy."
Andrew Christie, spokesman for US Airways, sent a reply saying, "US Airways does not have a formal policy on whom to, or not to, seat next to unaccompanied minors, rather we defer to the expertise of our trained gate agents and crew members who are tasked with ensuring the safety and security of all our passengers. We also intentionally do not announce the boarding of unaccompanied minors so as not to draw unwanted attention to children traveling alone."
"We do not have any rules regarding seat mates for unaccompanied minors aboard Virgin America," said spokeswoman Jennifer Thomas.
Requests for more information were not immediately returned from Delta or United.
Protecting children from predators — male or female — is paramount in any society. But is an overt policy necessary onboard an airliner filled with passengers? Tell us what you think.
( CNBC )
"WEALTH MANTRA"
If you "RISK" Nothing, You "RISK" Everything...
"WEALTH CREATION" is an "ART", approach a "WEALTH CREATOR" for better "RETURNS"...
3 of 3 Photo(s)
If you "RISK" Nothing, You "RISK" Everything...
"WEALTH CREATION" is an "ART", approach a "WEALTH CREATOR" for better "RETURNS"...
3 of 3 Photo(s)
The recent blackout in India highlights problems in the electricity sector, including ineffective distribution networks, loss-making providers and low capacity utilization of utilities. Despite improvements in recent years, as supply generation capacity has risen relative to demand, distribution losses have fallen, and the supply shortfall has shrunk, the Indian government’s production targets for the coming five years appear overly ambitious. The electricity shortfall is likely to remain due to coal shortages and lack of incentives for loss-making providers. Read More..
Latest indicators point to flat U.S. economy
Initial jobless applications in the U.S. rose slightly last week, a gain that was in line with expectations and, overall, a still-positive indicator of a weak U.S. recovery. But mixed signals in housing and a drop in a key factory activity gauge for mid-Atlantic region suggested an economy treading water. "For the Fed, the issue was whether the economy was sliding toward the abyss, and it doesn't seem to be, but it's certainly not improving," observed Pierre Ellis, an economist at Decision Economics in New York.
FDI in China slows as outbound investment surges
Foreign direct investment in China was down 8.7% in July from a year before, and U.S. investment in the first seven months was down 3.6%, the Ministry of Commerce reported. The ministry said investment may continue to decline somewhat in the near term but is likely to be replaced eventually by higher-quality inflows. Separately, the ministry reported that China's outbound direct investment surged by more than half in the first seven months of 2012.
EU's struggles hurt China's exports, but stable growth is still expected
China's exports to the recession-racked European Union are down 3.6% through the first seven months of the year, the Ministry of Finance reported. "Unpromising exports to the EU has been expected, yet escalating while worsening euro debt crisis, as well as a sharp drop in import demand from European countries, has gone beyond many experts' forecasts," a ministry spokesman said. Meanwhile, global accounting firm KPMG predicted stable growth for the Chinese economy in the second half of this year.
Merkel sides with ECB on conditions for aid to struggling euro countries
Germany is "in line" with the European Central Bank's demands for measures to reduce borrowing costs in indebted countries, Chancellor Angela Merkel said. It was Merkel's first comment on the crisis in a month and pitched Germany back into the debate over defending the euro as pressure mounted for easier terms and a sharing of debt.
U.K. economists who backed fiscal restraint now call for stimulus
U.K. economists who had endorsed Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's fiscal stringency ahead of the country's last election have backed off and are now urging fiscal stimulus. Only one of the original 20 economists calls for staying the course.
U.K. retail sales post July increase
Retail sales in the U.K. defied forecasts of a slight decline and rose 0.3% in July. In addition, new factory and construction numbers now suggest that gross domestic product may have declined less than the 0.7% reported for the second quarter.
Market Activities
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS OVERVIEW
Mixed to favorable economic data in Europe and the U.S. lifted shares Thursday on both sides of the Atlantic. In New York, the S&P 500 was up 0.71% to close at 1415.51, and the Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.3% to 271.22. Here is a continuously updated list of global stock indexes.
Japanese shares make strong gains; other Asia markets end mixed
Asian stock markets were mixed Thursday, with Japan the outstanding gainer due to export hopes as the U.S. dollar rose against the yen. The Nikkei ended the day with a 1.9% advance, closing at 9092.76, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.1% to 4330.20. The Hang Seng was off 0.45%, closing at 19962.95, and the Kospi was basically unchanged at 1957.91, up 0.1%.
Economic Trends & Outlook
Japan expects to end long run of deflation
Japan's long bout of deflation, stretching over 16 years, will come to end in the next fiscal year, the Cabinet Office is reportedly preparing to forecast. Among the upbeat trends contributing to the swing to inflation are an improving job market, higher consumer spending and rebuilding after 2011's tsunami and nuclear disaster.
India's central bank may consider rate action
Even though inflation remains above the Indian central bank's target range of 5% to 6%, the bank now says it is preparing to assess whether a downward trend will persist and make a decision about rates on that basis. A bank review of monetary policy is scheduled for Sept. 17. Pressure has been growing for bank stimulus as industrial growth weakens.
Worries grow even as South Korea jobless rates falls
Self-employment and the service sector are credited with an unexpected easing of South Korea's unemployment rate to 3.1% in July. Even so, "Europe's fiscal crisis is taking a toll on company hiring. The quality of the job market is deteriorating with more people taking nonsalaried work," said Sun Yoo, an economist at Woori Investment & Securities. In a bid to boost lagging exports, the government introduced several measures Thursday to help exporters secure funding.
Bank of Japan government holdings top those in circulation
Because of a special asset purchase program, holdings of Japanese government bonds by the Bank of Japan now exceed banknotes in circulation in the country for the first time. The bank's normal policy is to keep its government bond holdings at or less than the balance in circulation as a sign it won't indefinitely support government shortfalls. But the special program was instituted to address prolonged deflation.
Singapore retail sales decline in June
Singapore's retail sales were down 0.9% in June, pulled lower by slow vehicle sales and a number of other consumer sectors. However, continued softness could help moderate price increases, analysts said. "If retail sales remain soft in [the second half], this could constrain retailers' pricing power, compelling them to absorb higher costs in their margins, providing some modest relief for core inflation," said Citi analyst Kit Wei Zheng.
Taiwan is seen in danger of recession
Taiwan's economy is in danger of slipping into recession if the world economy worsens and electronics exports don't pick up, Moody's forecasts. Separately, the Council for Economic Planning and Development said the outlook for the global economy in the current quarter declined after two quarters of increases.
Capital Markets & Financial Products
China offers 14th issue of T-bonds this year
China's Ministry of Finance has begun offering 30.06 billion yuan in five-year book-entry treasury bonds with an annual interest rate of 2.95%. The bonds, the 14th issue this year, will become tradable Aug. 22.
Iran says it may close key South Korean accounts
Iran is demanding higher deposit rates at two South Korean banks where it has currency-based transaction settlement accounts estimated at $4.4 billion and is threatening to close the accounts, sources said. Such a move could affect as many as 2,700 Korean exporters.
Islets dispute may impinge on Japan-South Korean currency-swap deal
A dispute over islets between Japan and South Korea has led Japan to hint that a currency-swap deal between the two nations may be in jeopardy. Japan's chief Cabinet secretary, Fujimura Osamu, said many options are open to Tokyo and did not rule out withdrawal.
India regulator moves to build country's base of retail investors
In a move to bolster India's capital markets, the Securities and Exchange Board of India moved to broaden openings for retail investors in initial public offerings and mutual funds and extend the reach of mutual funds to smaller localities. The board also opened the door to electronic IPOs.
Industry & Regulatory Update
Standard Chartered switched tune quickly to seek settlement
Standard Chartered's initial denials and sharp defiance of New York regulators over charges of illegal dealings with Iran quickly switched to an outreach for settlement as the bank's shares took a hit. StanChart is now said to be pursuing a package deal with other U.S. regulators to finally set the matter aside.
